Georgia (Country)
Geography
Georgia is located in the Caucasus region of Eurasia, situated at the juncture of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north and northeast by Russia, to the south by Turkey and Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The country covers a total area of approximately 69,700 square kilometers.
The landscape within the nation's boundaries is quite varied. Western Georgia's landscape ranges from low-land marsh-forests, swamps, and temperate rain forests to eternal snows and glaciers, while the eastern part of the country even contains a small segment of semi-arid plains. Forests cover around 40% of Georgia's territory while the alpine/subalpine zone accounts for roughly around 10 percent of the land.
Climate
The climate of Georgia is extremely diverse, considering the nation's small size. There are two main climatic zones, roughly corresponding to the eastern and western parts of the country. The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range plays an important role in moderating Georgia's climate and protects the nation from the penetration of colder air masses from the north. The Lesser Caucasus Mountains partially protect the region from the influence of dry and hot air masses from the south.
History
The history of Georgia can be traced back to the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Iberia, and it is one of the oldest wine regions in the world. The Georgian nation first unified under the rule of King Bagrat III of Georgia in the early 11th century. After a series of invasions and internal conflicts, Georgia finally fell under the Russian sphere of influence in the 19th century.
Economy
Georgia's economy is diversified and largely driven by services, followed by manufacturing and agriculture. The country has developed an attractive business environment marked by low taxes and free economic zones, which has helped to draw in foreign investment. Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals.
Culture
Georgian culture is an exotic and ancient mix of influences from the East and West. It has evolved over thousands of years, with its roots in Iberian and Colchian civilizations. Georgian culture is noted for its literary tradition, music, cinema, and arts. The country is known for its rich folklore, unique traditional music, theatre, cinema, and art. Georgians are renowned for their love of music, dance, theatre and cinema.
